I am an interim pastor. My job is to go into a church and help to prepare it for a new "settled" pastor. Looking at the goals of the church is part of this. Our "Thinking-Big Day", as I call … Read more

While on vacation recently, our family rented a cottage right on a lake. Imagine our surprise and pleasure when, one morning, we saw a mother merganser swimming along, trailed by ten little ones, all swimming in a line. We watched … Read more

After our Ash Wednesday Service in mid-February, I headed home rather late, driving across the city on Cambridge Street. There is only one stoplight, where Southbridge Street crosses Cambridge. The road broadens here, so there are four lanes for traffic, … Read more

I have always loved clouds. As a child, I would lie on my back in the grass, gaze into the heavens, and watch the cloud parade. How many wonderful things my imagination was able to see there: a whole series … Read more

Recently, the day that I had been dreading for three months arrived: the day when my mentor and friend, the Area Minister under whom I have been working for the past fourteen years, moved out-of-state to take another job. I … Read more

The day after Ash Wednesday, as part of my Lenten discipline for this year, I participated in "a quiet day". It was a wonderful way to start Lent! There were eighteen of us, together with a trained leader, and we … Read more

Lenten wilderness! Desert wastes of temptation! Time to be apart. A borderland site caught between two ways of life. Which one will we choose? It's a place to stop on the journey of our lives, a time of trial. Jesus … Read more

Joel 2:12-13a – "Yet even now," says the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing." (NRSV) Lent … time of hungering for God for coming … Read more

Yesterday morning, when I woke up, bright sun greeted me. Gradually through the morning hours, however, the skies became leaden gray and by 12:30, snow began drifting down. As predicted by our weather forecaster, by 1:00, snow was sluicing down. … Read more

Cancer! A word I never wanted to hear addressed to me in matter of fact tones as if I heard it every day. Disbelief shrouded me, screaming aloud "No it wouldn't be" … "it couldn't be" … "it shouldn't be" … Read more

One of my favourite pieces of sculpture is The Pieta by Michelangelo. It is one of the most serene art works I have ever had the opportunity to see. It shows the love of Mary for Jesus in such a … Read more

The Advent season is here once more. In reflecting on today's scripture reading, I am reminded all over again that we are to prepare ourselves during these four weeks before Christ's birthday. To do so, we come from many different … Read more

As a part of our Thanksgiving celebration this year, my husband, John, and I looked back at the past year and gave thanks again for all the things for which we were thankful. This year we found much for which … Read more

One of my favourite Bible passages over the years has been Psalm 46, especially the first three verses, which read as follows: On a personal level, I have always taken great comfort in my belief that God protects me, and, … Read more